Steelers lose their edge

The Premier Division champions, Sheffield Steelers, could miss out on the end-of-term party at Wembley, when four of the top eight teams contest the championship title.

The team who lost just five of 35 league matches have lost two out of three play-off games, first to Nottingham Panthers mid-week and then, more importantly, to Fife Flyers on Saturday.

Fife are equal on points with Panthers, who faced a Humberside Hawks side rising from eighth in the league to challenge the second-placed side. A frenetic finish saw Panthers have a goal disallowed for kicking the puck in, before Scott Morrison tucked in the winner for Hawks.

Edinburgh Racers lead the other qualifying league, with Cardiff Devils a point behind.